Under the Dome: Thursday, (March 19), the 67th day of the 105-day legislative session

“For 101 years, the attorney general has been require to write a neutral ballot title that does not create prejudice for or against a ballot measure. And this bill really does violate that neutrality law by injecting purposeful prejudice, by adding very biased, vote-suppressing warning labels on certain initiative ballot titles.”

– Political activist Tim Eyman, speaking against Senate Bill 5715, which would require voter initiatives to include a fiscal impact statement in their ballot title if they are projected to cost more than $25 million

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Gov. Jay Inslee presented the Medal of Valor to the communities of Oso, Darrington, Arlington and the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe for their relief and recovery efforts following last year’s Oso landslide. Inslee also presented a Medal of Merit to the late Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually tribal leader who stood up for tribal fishing rights, and to Gretchen Schodde, who founded a retreat center in Union for cancer patients. The medals were awarded during a joint session of the House and Senate, with Frank’s sons accepting his medal on his behalf.

THURSDAY IN THE LEGISLATURE

A proposal to require the preservation of DNA evidence in violent or sexual felony cases will receive a hearing before the Senate Law and Justice Committee. House Bill 1068 would require DNA evidence collected during felony investigations to be preserved until the legal statute of limitations on a crime runs out. In cases where someone has been convicted of a crime, the DNA would need to be preserved until the person has completed his or her sentence. The hearing on the bill will take place at 8 a.m. in Hearing Room 4 of the John A. Cherberg Building.

The House Transportation Committee will consider legislation that would extend the sales tax exemption on electric vehicles through 2019. House Bill 2087 would also establish a pilot program to help fund more electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state. The measure will receive a public hearing at 3:30 p.m. in Hearing Room B of the John L. O’Brien Building.

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means will get the first look at a proposal to provide more state funding for school construction so that districts can lower class sizes in the early grades and expand all-day kindergarten. Senate Bill 6080 will be heard at 3:30 p.m. in Hearing Room 4 of the Cherberg Building.

FRIDAY IN THE LEGISLATURE

Senate Bill 5499 would create a 12-month sentence enhancement for anyone proven to have used a drone to commit a crime. Such an allegation would be known as a nefarious drone enterprise, according to the bill. The legislation will receive a public hearing at 10 a.m. before the House Public Safety Committee. The hearing will take place in Hearing Room D of the O’Brien Building.

Legislation that would prohibit the use of special software to snatch up tickets sold on online will receive a hearing before the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. House Bill 1091, which was requested by state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, would define the use of so-called ticket bots as a deceptive business practice that is banned under the state Consumer Protection Act. The hearing on the bill will take place in Hearing Room 1 of the Cherberg Building.

ELSEWHERE ON CAMPUS

The Washington Farmers & Ranchers group will hold an agricultural fair Thursday featuring booths showing off various Washington commodities. Tractors and animals could also make an appearance at the event, which is expected to draw a crowd of 1,000. The agricultural fair will be held around the North Diagonal Parking Lot, which is between the Tivoli Fountain and the General Administration Building.